(CNN) - Hours before the Senate Armed Services Committee passed a measure Thursday that would repeal "don't ask, don't tell," a group of pastors, priests and rabbis gathered in the Capitol to encourage lawmakers to retain the ban on gays in the military.

The group opened the press conference with prayer, asking for God to bless their efforts and to soften the hearts of senators and congressmen to their position.

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, who co-sponsored the presser, said repealing "don't ask, don't tell" could undermine the religious liberties of those serving in the military, particularly military chaplains.

“You have over 200 sponsoring organizations that may be prevented from sponsoring chaplains because they hold orthodox Christian views that will be in conflict with what the military says is stated policy,” said Perkins.

soundoff(86 Responses)

Just how does any chaplain counsel a soldier anyway: a man trained to kill. How does any Christian justify taking another life?

May 28, 2010 02:35 pm at 2:35 pm |

ThinkAgain

These chaplains would have a "conflict with what the military says is stated policy”?

Explain to me again how they handle the conflict with the First Comandment (Thou shalt not kill) ....

May 28, 2010 02:35 pm at 2:35 pm |

librarian

There is a group of pastors, priests and rabbis who are completely out of touch with what is right for this country. If they want to cling to their anachronistic religious beliefs so be it, but don't impose them on others.

May 28, 2010 02:35 pm at 2:35 pm |

Randolph Carter, I'm no expert, but

Man, the Christian taliban will try anything to keep gays and lesbians as second class citizens. What a bunch of wrong-headed losers. Doesn't having military chaplains violate seperation of church and state? How about freedom from religion for a change? Have a nice day!

May 28, 2010 02:36 pm at 2:36 pm |

Ben in Texas

So, because some clergy are bigots, the military should lose valuable members? Is that what Perkins is saying? Is he saying that God doesn't love everyone? Only straights?

I was taught that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God". So, even if the clergy consider being gay a sin, they should still be able to function in a military where there are gays. In fact, there have always been gays in the military. It's just that now the military will be less hypocritical about it. That should actually make the clergy feel better, not worse.

May 28, 2010 02:40 pm at 2:40 pm |

William Jefferson

Funny. That same argument was made regarding desegregating the military.

May 28, 2010 02:41 pm at 2:41 pm |

Wendy in So. Cal

Seriously!!!! Clergymen actual feel that their ability to provide faith support for our troops would be compromised if they can't descriminate against gays? Are they for real? Their right to descriminate against gays should trump our brave gay and lesbian soldiers right to equal treatment? Their is nothing Christian or admirable in their position.

May 28, 2010 02:45 pm at 2:45 pm |

Randolph Carter, I'm no expert, but

“You have over 200 sponsoring organizations that may be prevented from sponsoring chaplains because they hold orthodox Christian views that will be in conflict with what the military says is stated policy,” said Perkins.

"Orthodox Christian views?" So Jesus thought it was cool to discriminate? Who knew? Have a nice day!

May 28, 2010 02:45 pm at 2:45 pm |

CBR

War is against the teachings of the major religions. Chaplains do counsel and advise those with different beliefs than their own. I am sure they will find a way to help as chaplains have done for so long.

Those of us who were part of the military understand the role that chaplains play. Many times we did not have a chaplain of our faith and we always felt we could go to another chaplain for help. Somehow we knew they could and would meet the needs of those of other faiths.

May 28, 2010 02:45 pm at 2:45 pm |

Leslie

The church should not have anything to do with this decision!!!

May 28, 2010 02:51 pm at 2:51 pm |

Rosslaw

This is truly surreal now. Catholic priests may not serve if gays legally serve in the military? But how do they feel about child rapists serving in the military. And didn't Tony Perkins just within the last few weeks have to distance himself from his secretly gay and obviously self-loathing co-founder of the Family Research Council who was photographed returning from Europe in the company of a rented boy toy? Creatures like Perkins will have a special steam vent in hell warmed up just for them for the malevalence they have promoted in this life.